Protection Against High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity in MDM2 C305F Mice Due to Reduced P53 Activity and Enhanced Energy Expenditure

The RPL11-MDM2 interaction constitutes a p53 signaling pathway activated by deregulated ribosomal biosynthesis in response to stress. Mice bearing an MDM2C305F mutation that disrupts RPL11-MDM2 binding were analyzed on a high-fat diet (HFD). The Mdm2C305F/C305F mice, although phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type (WT) mice when fed normal chow, demonstrated decreased fat accumulation along with improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance after prolonged HFD feeding. We found that HFD increases expression of c-MYC and RPL11 in both WT and Mdm2C305F/C305F mice; however, p53 was induced in WT but not in Mdm2C305F/C305F mice. Reduced p53 activity in HFD-fed Mdm2C305F/C305F mice resulted in higher levels of p53 downregulated targets GLUT4 and SIRT1, leading to increased biosynthesis of NAD+, and increased energy expenditure. Our study reveals a role for the RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway in fat storage during nutrient excess and suggests that targeting this pathway may be a potential treatment for obesity.